Watch & Learn

Education

Explore the Arts

Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability

2015 Conference and Training - Washington, DC Area

Workshops

Pre-Conference Workshops:

August 3 & 4, 2015

Conference:

August 5-7, 2015

Join us!

The LEAD® conference continues to be the one place where leaders and newcomers in the field of access to the cultural arts for individuals with disabilities and older adults can meet and mingle with peers, learn about the latest technological advances, get the straight talk on legal issues, and contribute to the collective knowledge base of how to reach and engage audiences, patrons, and visitors of all ages and abilities.

Basic to Advanced: No matter what level of experience you have, thereâ€™s always something to learn. The building blocks will give newcomers the tools and information they need to develop a successful accessibility program while the discussion groups and advanced track address accessibility for the most experienced.

Facilities to Programs: Sessions and discussions will cover all aspects of accessibility from the built environment to programs and communication.

Legal Obligations & Customer Service: Learn about relevant laws and regulations and explore accessibility from the customer service and business case perspectives.

Networking: Engage in conversations with colleagues who are enthusiastic about accessibility and eager to share their insights and learn from others.

Please join us to continue the dynamic dialogue to share exciting ideas and explore new and innovative ways to welcome everyone through the doors of our organizations.

Who Attends?

Whether your organization is big or small, your programming is indoors or outside, or if you come from a performing arts center, art gallery, zoo, museum, theater, or park, the networking and information offered at LEAD® can help you improve accessibility for all of your patrons and visitors.

LEAD® provides professional development for:

Accessibility Managers and Coordinators

Box Office and House Managers

Outreach and Education Coordinators

Patrons and Visitor Services Managers

Facilities and Operations Managers

Exhibition Designers

State and Local Government ADA/504 Coordinators

Marketing and Audience Development Directors

State Arts Commission/Council Accessibility Coordinators

Please Note: The LEAD® conference does not address professional development for artists with disabilities or arts education. For resources for artists with disabilities, please visit the VSA Programs page. For information on arts in education for people with disabilities, please visit the Intersections Conference page.

Registration Eligibility and Rates

Eligibility:

Not all registrations will be accepted. Space for the conference is limited and preference will be given to paid staff at cultural arts organizations or cultural arts service or government agencies who are directly responsible for making programs and facilities accessible to people with disabilities. The Kennedy Center reserves the right to decline registrations. In the event that registration is declined, the Center will issue a refund for any fees collected.

Registration Rates:

Conference: August 5 - 7

Includes access to sessions Wednesday, August 5 through Friday, August 7.

Arts/Cultural Organization Staff: $245 per individual or $225 per team member

Federal/State/Local Government Staff: $245 per individual or $225 per team member

College/University Arts or Arts Administration Staff: $245 per individual or $225 per team member

Arts Service Agency Staff: $245 per individual or $225 per team member

Non-Profit Disability Service Organization Staff: $600

For-Profit Disability or Arts Service Organization Staff and Consultants: $775

Pre-Conference Workshops

Workshops will be offered concurrently on Monday, August 3 and Tuesday, August 4. Dates and times are subject to change.

$95 per person per workshop

Discounts and Scholarships

Team Registration Discounts:

If your organization sends more than one person to the full conference, the registration rate drops to $225 per person! Please Note: The team registration rate is only available to staff members of arts or cultural organizations; arts or cultural service agencies; university or college arts or arts administration program staff; and federal, state or local government employees.

Scholarships for Students:

Graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in arts administration/management or museum studies programs can apply for a scholarship to attend the LEAD Conference at a reduced rate of $145. If accepted, student registration would include access to sessions Wednesday, August 5 through Friday, August 7. Additional fees apply for pre-conference and capacity building workshops as well as the Awards Dinner and any other special events.

To apply, please send a statement of interest along with your name, contact information, name and location of your university or college, degree expected, and area of study to access@kennedy-center.org.

Hotel Information

We are pleased to announce that the Kennedy Center's 2015 LEAD® and INTERSECTION Conferences will take place at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel in Crystal City, VA. The hotel is conveniently located near the Reagan Washington National Airport, Crystal City restaurants and shops, and a short metro ride to cultural venues in downtown Washington, DC.

The Arlington Capital View Hotel includes two hotel brands in one property – Renaissance and Residence Inn – both accessible to the conference space via elevators from guest rooms. This offers attendees the choice of regular rooms for $155/night or an upgrade to suites with full kitchens for $175/night. See details below for specific amenities.

Please note that these special rates are only available until July 10, 2015. Some amenities such as free internet access are only complimentary if booked under our group block.

Complimentary shuttle service to and from Crystal City Metro and Reagan National Airport. Metro shuttle runs 7:00am-11:00pm daily. Airport shuttle runs 5:00am-12:00am daily. Accessible transportation is available upon request. Shuttles run every 10-20 minutes.

Complimentary shuttle service to and from Crystal City Metro and Reagan National Airport. Metro shuttle runs 7:00am-11:00pm daily. Airport shuttle runs 5:00am-12:00am daily. Accessible transportation is available upon request. Shuttles run every 10-20 minutes.